LYNN THE STRIPPER

Thomas’s POV:

“For God’s sake, grandpa! I am not ready to take the responsibility just yet.” He yelled after being lectured for an hour about how he was an irresponsible man. He had just returned after an amazing night with the new girl he had met at a party. Now, all his good mood was down the drain thanks to his persistent grandfather: James Walker.

He heard his grandfather sigh as he sat down on his favourite chair. He was silent for a minute before speaking.

“Thomas, I have given you enough liberty to enjoy life the way you want. I cannot afford to do that anymore. I am not healthy like I used to be, so it is hard for me to run the company. I want to make you the CEO as soon as possible, and you have to listen to my order whether you like it or not.” He said in a calm but stern voice while leaning back as if the deal was sealed, and he would not listen to anything Thomas had to say. But Thomas was his grandson. He would be damned if he did not fight for himself.

“I will not be the CEO, now and never. You can do whatever you like.” He scoffed as he stood up and left the room in anger. He was serious about not wanting to become CEO ‘now’, but he could not change the ‘never’ part. It was not up to him to decide. He could not believe his grandfather. He had told him numerous times that he was not ready to take such a big responsibility. He knew that it was inevitable, and that he would have to become the CEO eventually, but it was too soon for him. He was twenty four and had just graduated.

Being the sole heir to a billion-dollar-business sucked just as much as it benefitted him. He had a comfortable life and every luxury he wanted but at the expense of giving up all his desires and wishes. He always wanted to sing and was also part of a band in high school, but his grandfather made him give up his dream just to take over the company.

He obliged as he was aware of the fact that his grandfather would not allow him to be in a band. But he decided that he would not listen to him this time. He wanted to have some extra years to live a normal life just like everyone else, without his grandfather dictating his every step. Was it too much to ask for?

He just knew his mother would not have let it happen if she was alive. He was the only child, and his mother took care of him like he was the most precious thing in the world. That was why he was able to make ‘ordinary friends’ like his grandfather liked to taunt him; joined the band that his grandfather despised so much but remained quiet just because of his mother. She belonged to a middleclass family and worked in their company as his father’s assistant. They fell in love with each other and got married despite his grandfather’s protests. He did not allow them in the house and kept his father away from the company for a year to show how mad he was that he had married a woman from a middleclass family.

He could not remain mad for long as he forgave them as soon as Thomas was born. His wish to see his grandchild was so strong that he called them to live with him, and acted normal as if he was not angry at them for one whole year. He also tried not to indulge himself with his mother. She was a very strong lady, and she also knew how to handle her father-in-law. Nobody could tame the James Walker though except the thought of having a grandson who would take over the company in the future. Thomas knew that his grandfather never had a liking towards his mother till the end.

Too bad, God snatched away his parents so soon.

He left the house feeling empty as the sad feelings hit him again. There was not a day passed when the memories of his parents did not hit him. After all, he was sixteen when they died in an accident. He remembered—he remembered everything.

Olivia’s POV:

“Mother.” She whispered quietly afraid of waking her up. She wanted to make sure her mother was resting comfortably.

She did not hear her response, so she thought she was already asleep.

She was about to leave her room when she heard her name being called. It was so faint that she almost did not hear it. She turned around and saw her smiling at her.

“Olivia, my lovely daughter. Come here.” She spread her weak arms for her. It was always her way of showing her love for Olivia. She smiled going towards her bed and hugged her softly.